Dog walkers targeted at St Laurence’s Garden of Rest in Ludlow

Shropshire Council’s streetscene team are undertaking awareness sessions around the garden of rest in Ludlow, following an increase in reports of dog fouling in the area. 

The awareness sessions aim to promote responsible dog ownership and ask the public to help officers identify and educate those people who fail to pick up after their dog have fouled. 

The first session was held between 12pm and 3pm on Friday 20 April 2012, and further patrols have been scheduled for early mornings and late afternoons.  During the awareness session leaflets were handed out to residents as part of on the spot discussions informing them that not picking up after their dog is against the law and can incur a fine of up to £80. 

Information is requested by streetscene regarding times potential offenders visited the area in order to target future patrols as efficiently as possible.  It was also noted that some dogs were unaccompanied by their owner, and in this situation the dog owner is still liable to a fine if the dog fouls in a public area. 

Martin Bennett, Shropshire Council’s deputy Cabinet member, said:

“We would like to encourage the public to provide our officers with information about dog owners that do not clear up after their dog, so that we can take the necessary enforcement action to stop this.” 

Rosanna Taylor-Smith, Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow North, said:

“Whilst we realise that most dog owners are responsible and clear up after their dogs, a small minority are allowing their dogs to foul in The Garden of Rest, with little thought for anyone else, residents or visitors to Ludlow, whose enjoyment of this special area is spoilt with dog mess.  We will continue to make regular patrols and would urge anyone with information about who may be responsible to let us know so that we can stop this selfish behaviour.” 

To report a problem with graffiti, flyposting or litter people can contact the environmental maintenance teams on 0345 678 9006 or report a problem online at shropshire.gov.uk/environmentmaintenance.nsf